The streets are crowded with people doing last minute shopping. Most of them carry parcels and bags full of food and presents.

Everyone is hurrying because it isn’t long until the shops shut.

There’s one shop that no-one stops at to look in: the little Charity Shop that sells second-hand clothes and odds and ends. Inside it’s chock-a-block with things people have given away.

And there at the very back of the shop, almost out of sight on the dusty top shelf, sits the saddest-looking teddy you’ve ever seen.

If you were that teddy bear, you’d feel sorry for yourself.

Poor teddy has been left up there for such a long time. And it’s all alone with only some musty-fusty books on either side for company. But teddy can’t read and the books don’t even have pictures in.

That’s not much fun when Christmas is coming.

Who will help this teddy bear?

****

He wants to buy a present for Little Lou, but doesn’t have a lot of money.

Kind Uncle Bob really loves Little Lou, so wants to get something special. Where can he find that special something?

The things in the Toy Shop are too expensive.

Where’s a place that sells things he can afford?

How about the Charity Shop? It’s worth a try.

So Bob goes in and says "hello" to the nice old lady who serves in the shop.

Looking round him, what does he see?

Ladies’ hats

and Ladies’ coats

and Ladies’ skirts

and Ladies’ scarves

all sorts of different clothes for Ladies.

All of them would look nice on the lady in the shop.

Bob asks the lady if she has any toys.

"Toys? Let me see now…There’s only a broken thingummy-jig with the wotsit missing…O and a hundred piece jigsaw with 44 pieces…or this children’s book with the pictures torn out…or…I don’t suppose you’d be interested in…"

Before she’s even finished speaking, Bob has seen it and knows at once this is that special something for Little Lou.

"…that thing up there on the top shelf."

Bob asks her how much it costs.

The lady names a price and Bob counts out the coins in his pocket. He doesn’t have quite enough. O dear.

But, as it’s the season of Good Will and it’s such a shabby-looking teddy, the lady lets Bob have it anyway.

****

Still, it’s cosy here, and teddy looks happier already, seated by the merry blaze.

"Now, what are we going to do with you?" says Bob to the bear, "You look as if you could do with a good wash and brush up. Bathtime for bears!"

So Bob fills the washing-up bowl with hot soapy water and sets to work cleaning his furry new friend.

When that’s done, he puts the teddy on a bath-towel and switches on the hair-dryer. Soon the bear is warm and dry, and Bob gets a brush to brush its fur.

"There, my fine bear, good as new and twice as handsome! And I’ve got just the thing for you."

Bob goes to the bottom-drawer of his dressing-table and takes out a brand-new red bow tie.

"There we are, the finishing touch! O what a beautiful bear you are!"

Indeed the bear looks a treat and seems to be smiling a shy, pleased smile.

"Well, my bear, it’s up bright and early in the morning so let’s get some shut-eye."

With that, Bob gets ready for bed and, taking teddy with him, soon all that can be heard is the sound of snores.

First everyone shares a great big hug. They kiss and smile and say "Happy Christmas."

Little Lou is so excited.

Mum’s been busy cooking, baking: cake and pudding, pies, the lot.

The fir tree in the garden is hung with nuts and other titbits for the birds.

Their living room’s all festive and jolly, festooned with homemade decorations, holly and mistletoe, rainbow balloons.

All this seems like magic to Little Lou.

"Uncle Bob, Uncle Bob, here’s a Christmas card I drew you," says Little Lou.

"Thank-you, Lou, I really like the purple reindeer" says Uncle Bob. "Do you want to meet a friend of mine?"

Bob takes the knapsack from his back and who should be in it but our friend the teddy bear!

Little Lou is bursting with joy.

"A teddy bear, a teddy bear!"

And not only that but a teddy bear with a red bow tie!

"Teddy wants to come and live with you," says Uncle Bob.

"Yes please, O yes please," says Little Lou, hugging the bear.

****

They spread the tablecloth on the carpet and lay out cups and saucers, plates and bowls, knives, forks, spoons.

Lou makes the Menu for ‘Santa’s Pantry’: cake and pudding, pies, the lot.

Teddy, the special guest of honour, is given the very best seat, the fluffy cushion.

They all put on their party hats. Uncle Bob, the waiter, fills their cups with hot orange punch and they drink a toast to Teddy, our friend.

"Look, mum, look, it’s a teddy bear’s picnic!" laughs Little Lou.

***